As you may have gathered, I like garage sales. The other week I saw a molecule-making set (think Tinker Toys for adults) being sold by a dental student. It was a reminder to me that a far horizon awaits - molecular architecture being so vital and handsomely complex in its depictions. DNA is a centerpiece, depending where in the hierarchy of existence you are. But there are other configurations, consolidating hundreds of thousands of atoms, that operate like little biological machines. They wrap upon themselves according to their own valences and outside influences to become functional. I doubt if I have enough time left to me to make such a monster, but your comment about DNA has me thinking about the zip function and especially about something called RNA transcription. Thanks.

Thanks. Frankly I’m surprised at the responses. Steve mentioned the introduction of imagery, and I’m taking that seriously. But also folks have liked the chains as an elementary statement, and I’m taking that seriously.

I would have to say that we’re all wondering where this might go next. The chaining of two separate and significant objects is intriguing. I can see the curving shape of a line running from building to building. Takes me back to the seventies when I ran a rainbow effect from one side of a downtown arcade to the other. Ah, those were the days.

Spent a good part of today cutting out wooden ovals, so that would suggest something in the works.

All three objects in the post are of wood. I’m a liberal user of transparent varnishes and that contributes to the glow. The green one is sitting out back where I will add another layer of something to deepen the effect.

Off to see about this Edwards fellow.

I guess I don’t have a handle on where you are going, but I wouldn’t add a figurative element just because that solution works so beautifully in the Kenyan chain. It seems like you are going elsewhere. If the linkage is the important idea - what about really long chains that link things together that already exist, like two buildings, something more site specific? Now I am thinking of that couple who tied themselves together for a year but did not touch…Linda Montano and Tehching Hsieh
But the idea of a chain being a connector, both a voluntary and involuntary one is fascinating to me.

there is also a sculptor you may want to look at - Melvin Edwards - he did a series called “Lynch Fragments” - more than 150 welded sculptures from found metal objects including chains, hooks, hammers, spikes, handcuffs. http://www.africaresource.com/ijele/vol1.2/images1.2/irbham/index.htm

He picked up some of the fragments after the Watts riots of 1965. Obviously a very different social statement from the necklace idea! But the chain idea made me think of the violence of chains first, I must say. And chain gangs…

Because Krauss’s lecture was close to impenetrable, I had to grab a couple of words to munch on later. I have always like “recursive” — all that twisting and turning back on itself — but I’m not sure if she said “self-reflective” or “self-reflexive.” Good either way, says I.

I did have to do some Googling acrobatics to find Kentridge’s name — his work grabbed both Jer and me — but neither of us could remember the name. His is the “technical support” that works beyond my imaginings.

Anyway, it’s always good to hear someone lecture in High Art Academese. It gives one a certain pleasure in writing simple sentences.